Open for our March 4th Weekly Digest with events, member news and more

March 4, 2024 Weekly Digest

Chairman's Circle Members

Happenings in and around the Chamber!

HOT DEALS

JOB BOARD

Meet Our New Members!

Cho Jiu Jitsu Academy

Barraza & Associates, LLC - American Family Insurance

Shiver By The River Batavia Drinks & Dining Pass is Live - Get Your Pass Today!

SHIVER BY THE RIVER is a NEW drinks and dining promotion created to cure your cabin fever! With our FREE digital pass, participants will “check-in” to Batavia restaurants, bars and cafes for a chance to win prizes!

Some will offer discounts and specials, but the more often you eat and drink in Batavia, the more chances you have to win. This program will run through Thursday, March 14. Don't be left out in the cold - head to our website now to sign up for your digital pass and start mapping out your exploration! Click here to learn more.

Read the Shiver By The River Press Release.

Get the Most From Your Chamber Membership!

Join us on Thursday for Chamber Membership 101. Register today!

Registration is Now Open!

Join us as we honor our 2023 award winners, including the Citizens of the Year, Spirit of Batavia, Batavia Community Impact, and Ole Awards. Register for this signature event today.

Email Patti@bataviachamber.org if you are interested in sponsoring.

Dreams Can Come True!

We're going to Italy and you're invited. Renew your passport and make plans to travel to Italy next October!

If you'd like to listen to the informational meeting, or download promotional flyers, click here. An informational meeting will take place at Sturdy Shelter Brewing on Tuesday, April 9 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Early bird discount has been extended to April 14th.

Batavia Chamber of Commerce's Inspire Scholarships are Now Open for Applications!

The four scholarships, worth $1,000 each, are motivated by the makeup of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce membership. Please encourage Batavia Public High School Seniors to apply. Access the applications here.

Made In Illinois Grant Program Applications Open

Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) launched $1 million in funding for the Made in Illinois Grant Program. The Made in Illinois program provides up to $50,000 in matching grant funding to small- and mid-sized Illinois manufacturers to support innovation and strategic advancements in manufacturing.

To be eligible to apply for this program, companies must:

Be an Illinois manufacturer (as designated with a NAICS code starting with 31-33)
Have between 5-250 employees
Operated in Illinois for at least 3 years
Had sales revenue in the last 12 months prior to application date

Applications are open now through March 31, 2024, and manufacturers are encouraged to explore the benefits offered by the Made in Illinois Grant Program by visiting www.imec.org/madeinillinois. The page provides details on eligibility criteria, application procedures, and the improvements achievable through this initiative.

News and Updates from Our Members

Batavia Public School District 101 Announces New Principal for Louise White Elementary School

Batavia Public School District 101 (BPS101) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Wall as the new Principal of Louise White Elementary School, effective July 1, 2024. This appointment comes following Dr. Skomer's retirement announcement. Dr. Skomer has worked at BPS101 for 26 years. He was the principal of both the old and new Grace McWayne Elementary School and became the principal of Louise White Elementary School 13 years ago.

Mike has been in education for 14 years, serving in various roles: classroom teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal, and for the last 5 years, principal of an elementary school in Mt. Prospect. Read the entire press release.

New Batavia Depot Museum Exhibit Explores How Batavians Got Their Food

At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, grocery store employees were recognized as essential workers who helped people get food when everything else shut down, leading to a greater appreciation for their role in the food supply chain.

Batavia Depot Museum’s new exhibit, “Markets and Meals,” explores the essential role of grocers, butchers and bakers in Batavia from the early days of general stores to today’s modern supermarkets. Read the entire press release.

Batavia Parks Foundation Launches Painted Rock Garden Initiative

Inspired by completion of the PEACE on EARTH artwork installation, the Batavia Parks Foundation proudly announces the launch of a new painted rock garden initiative to help spread kindness to and from the community.

The Batavia Park District’s Board of Commissioners authorized a 8’ x 12’ garden space on the Batavia South Riverwalk Plaza area by the Peace Bridge for the new rock garden at their January 16, 2024 meeting, creating the canvas for the new garden area. Read the entire press release.

Give Education Day Will Benefit Batavia Foundations for Educational Excellence

What if we all gave on one day? Please join us in celebrating Give Education Day on Wednesday, March 6th, as our community will come together for 24 hours of unprecedented giving to support the Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence in its mission to foster innovation and expand opportunities to ensure BPS101 students are always learning and always growing. Read the entire press release.